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Reposted by James Rowland

Anthony Speca | Aspen Ecology @aspenecology.com · 25/09/2026

Join me on the weekend of 3 & 4 October for my 'Lichens for beginners' course at FSC Epping Forest! #Lichens are a secret world all around you: curiously beautiful, ecologically vital, unique on Earth...and totally overlooked. Let's explore it together! www.field-studies-council.org/courses-and-...

Lichen community on worked wood : England : VC20 Hertfordshire : TL3510 : March 2025

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Tricky Mint (Mentha sp.) for me the other day. Cautiously think this might actually be Apple-mint (M. x villosa), but could well be wrong! @bsbibotany.bsky.social

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Anthony Speca | Aspen Ecology @aspenecology.com · 22/08/2026

Surveyed St Michael & St Felix's Church in Rumburgh, Suffolk, last month. 79 #lichen taxa recorded, including near-threatened Lecanora horiza and nationally notable Verrucaria polysticta. Also Pertusaria lactescens: locally common in west, but rare in East Anglia. aspenecology.com/survey-of-st....

Lecanora horiza : England : VC25 East Suffolk : TM3481 Rumburgh : July 2026 : On sandstone gravestone

Verrucaria polysticta : England : VC25 East Suffolk : TM3481 Rumburgh : July 2026 : On concrete render

Pertusaria lactescens : England : VC25 East Suffolk : TM3481 Rumburgh : July 2026 : On sandstone coffin-tomb

St Michael & St Felix's Church : Rumburgh, Suffolk, England : July 2026

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

This is the aptly named Barnacle Lichen (Thelotrema lepadinum) and is an indicator species of ancient woodland sites. (1/3)

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Tristan Norton @trisnorton.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

My favourite alien find today was this cracker: Hedgehog Clover Trifolium echinatum. New to me. Very few old Hampshire records, exclusively from sites where wool shoddy was used. Another interesting page in the book of Hampshire flora. #wildflowerhour @bsbibotany.bsky.social

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Came across Sicilian Chamomile (Anthemis punctata) with its characteristic woody stems, sweet scent and outer receptacles 3-toothed this week. There doesn’t seem to be many non-coastal records for Suffolk. @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @suffolk-nats1929.bsky.social #Suffolk

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Anthony Speca | Aspen Ecology @aspenecology.com · 20/06/2026

Announcing another opportunity to learn #lichen microscopy with me! My online 'Beginner Lichen Microscopy' course covers all the fundamentals, from microscope basics to some special lighting techniques. No prior microscope experience needed. Starts this September! aspenecology.com/beginner-lic...

aspenecology.com

Beginner lichen microscopy: register now! - Aspen Ecology

I’m delighted to announce another opportunity to take an online beginner lichen microscopy course with Aspen Ecology! This beginner course will require no previous experience with microscopes. We’ll l...

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Alex Prendergast @bramblebotanist.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Nymphaea candida Dwarf White Waterlily found in fen ditches at Burgh Common with #NorfolkFloraGroup Perhaps the best example I’ve seen: square receptacle, broad-based filaments, small flowers not fully opening and veins joining in loops before the leaf margin. Widespread in Broadland #Wildflowerhour

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Gypsy Moth caterpillar (Lymantria dispar) munching on a Rose in my garden over the weekend! @suffolk-nats1929.bsky.social @suffolkbis.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Broad-leaved Everlasting-pea (Lathyrus latifolius) out in flower in Broadland Business Park on the outskirts of Norwich this week. @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @norfolknats.bsky.social #Wildflowerhour

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Lots of Brown Sedge (Carex disticha) growing in Great Horseley Fen a part of the Roding Valley Meadows Nature Reserve. #Fens #Wetlands #Sedges #Essex

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Anthony Speca | Aspen Ecology @aspenecology.com · 12/06/2026

#Lichen substances can have striking colours and reactions. This is Bacidina egenula, whose blue-green epithecium and outer exciple sharply intensifies in K, and whose red-brown hypothecium dulls. Note also remarkable thread-like spores. First record for VC52 Anglesey. With @robyaxley.bsky.social.

Bacidina egenula : Wales : VC52 Anglesey : April 2026 : On Salix trunk

Bacidina egenula : Wales : VC52 Anglesey : April 2026 : On Salix trunk : In water

Bacidina egenula : Wales : VC52 Anglesey : April 2026 : On Salix trunk : In KOH : K+ intensifying green (epithecium and outer exciple) : K+ dulling brown (hypothecium)

Bacidina egenula : Wales : VC52 Anglesey : April 2026 : On Salix trunk : In KOH : K+ intensifying green (epithecium)

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Dr Astrid Biddle @astridbiddle.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

@ilichenmoss2.bsky.social George Greiff in the BBC News headlines on Sunday morning. A fantastic discovery, and hopefully a way to moderate invasive (INNS) Campylopus introflexus (Heath Star Moss). Well deserved recognition for some very interesting bryological work. 🎉🙌 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Killer fungus discovered that destroys UK invasive plant

A newly discovered species raises hope that some native British habitats could be restored.

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Found an interesting gall on blackthorn today. Not a hundred percent sure on the species but likely to be a mite and potentially one of the Eriophyes genus. #plantgalls #mites #UK

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Lichen tick from the Malvern Hills today. The below is Lasallia pustulata known as the ‘Rock Tripe Lichen’. In the UK it is a western species which grows on acidic rock. @britishlichensociety.org.uk #lichen#Malvern#MalvernHills#Worcestershire

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Anthony Speca | Aspen Ecology @aspenecology.com · 21/05/2026

Hugely enjoyed leading public #lichen walk for Bury Wildlife Festival last weekend in St Edmundsbury Cathedral churchyard. Even better: found nationally notable Verrucaria polysticta there while on recce ahead of walk. Often starts as parasite on other Verrucarias. With @jamesrowland23.bsky.social.

Verrucaria muralis, V. polysticta & V. viridula : England : VC26 West Suffolk : TL8563 : May 2026 : On limestone gravestone

Verrucaria polysticta & V. viridula : England : VC26 West Suffolk : TL8563 : May 2026 : On limestone gravestone

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

Fantastic lichens at Parsonage Wood with the Kent Field Club last Saturday. Including second ever record in VC15 for Coniocarpon cinnabarinum. Along with a first for Kent (either VC) for Thelotrema lueckingii. @kentfieldclub.bsky.social @kentwildlife.bsky.social @britishlichensociety.org.uk #lichens

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

Coniocarpon cinnabarinum growing in Gosbeck Wood, Suffolk. This species is commonly recorded growing on smooth barked trees. The lichen is widespread in the west of the UK but rare in the east. This record is a county first for Suffolk (either Vice County)! #lichens #Suffolk

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Anthony Speca | Aspen Ecology @aspenecology.com · 06/03/2026

1/2 Recently surveyed Emmanuel Church, Bungay, for #lichens. Same mid-Victorian age as St Edmund's nearby (see below), with churchyard of about same size. But Emmanuel headstones moved aside to create garden. Now mainly shaded and algae-covered. Eliminated up to 1/3 of lichen biodiversity! Only…

Gravestones moved aside from churchyard at Emmanuel Church, Bungay, now shaded, algae-covered and devoid of lichens

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

New lichen record for me at the weekend from a Mid Suffolk woodland. The below is Phaeographis smithii. Unlike P. dendritica, smithii lacks the dark tissue below the hymenium. (1/3) @britishlichensociety.org.uk @suffolk-nats1929.bsky.social @aspenecology.com @suffolkbis.bsky.social #lichens

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

Spurge-laurel (Daphne laureola) out in full flower in woodland near me. Spurge-laurel is an early flowering species of neutral to basic woodland. @bsbibotany.bsky.social @suffolk-nats1929.bsky.social #Wildflowerhour

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

Some interesting lichens on the veteran Oaks at Helmingham Hall, Suffolk yesterday. 1/3

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

Surprise discovery in the garden today. This is an overwintering female European Paper Wasp (Polistes dominula). Formerly considered a vagrant species in the UK. It now appears to have scattered breeding populations across south-eastern England. #wasps @kentfieldclub.bsky.social

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 26/12/2025

Couple of interesting finds walking through Orlestone Forest in Kent. The first is Little Shaggy-moss (Rhytidiadelphus loreus) a very common species in the west of the UK but rather rare in Kent. The second is the lichen Pertusaria pertusa, a common epiphyte found on smooth and rough bark. 1/2

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Anthony Speca | Aspen Ecology @aspenecology.com · 11/10/2025

Announcing another chance to learn #lichens online! My next 'Lichens for Beginners' course starts in January. Perfect for anyone just discovering these unique and beautiful life-forms. All you need to know to understand lichens and identify common species. Join me! aspenecology.com/lichens-for-...

Variospora (Caloplaca) flavescens : England : VC25 East Suffolk : TM3389 : September 2022 : On limestone gravestone

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

A bit late but White Dogwood (Cornus alba) planted along the side of a road. Very similar to Red-osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) except the stone of the fruit is longer than wide and the leaves are shortly acuminate to acute. #wildflowerhour @bsbibotany.bsky.social @suffolk-nats1929.bsky.social

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

A new one for me last month. White Spindles (Clavaria fragilis) growing in a Low Weald meadow. @kentfieldclub.bsky.social #grasslandfungi

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

Came across this interesting Cotoneaster on the outskirts of Norwich today. Could this be Cotoneaster dammeri? @jo-the-botanist.bsky.social @bramblebotanist.bsky.social @norfolknats.bsky.social #Cotoneaster

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

Nicotiana sylvestris growing as a pavement weed in Norwich this week. First record for either Norfolk vice county. Species on the increase? @trevorthebotanist.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @norfolknats.bsky.social #wildflowerhour #Norfolk

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

New sawfly larva for me the other day. Have a suspicion this might be a Wild Rose Fusehorn (Arge ochropus). Any ideas @andymus.bsky.social #sawflies #insects

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A Naturalist Abroad @anaturalistabroad.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

Something funky going on here! Small Scabious with a series of unified stems that collectively produced a solitary flowerhead, that then split out into several solitary stems again, each with its own terminal flowerhead... must be the beer in Norfolk!

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

Double whammy while on holiday in New England. Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) on knotweed (Reynoutria sp.). Both are non-native species in the northeastern US. The Japanese beetle first arrived in the US on plants from Japan as part of 1916 World’s Fair. #invasiveinsects #invasiveplants (1/4)

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Alex Prendergast @bramblebotanist.bsky.social · 06/07/2025

Set a dozen batologists free in Broadland & rightly anticipate a few interesting bramble records.. not a new-to-GB waterlily. Nymphaea candida has small flowers with erect petals, filaments wider than anthers & concave stigmatic disc. Leaves with anastomosing veins at edges. @bsbibotany.bsky.social

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Prof Duncan Westbury @duncanwestbury.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

Oh dear @nationaltrust.org.uk how have you got this so terribly wrong. Please contact me directly if you want to create a wildflower meadow & not an annual cornfield area. @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 06/07/2025

Interesting find for #wildflowerhour. Found Sedum pallidum naturalised in mown grassland in Kent. New to Kent (either vice county) and eighth record on the BSBI DDb. #Kent #Sedum #BSBI @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @kentfieldclub.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

Interesting bramble growing in scrub next to some ancient woodland in Kent at the weekend. Bit of a bramble novice but perhaps Series Glandulosi @bramblebotanist.bsky.social? (1/2)

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Rob Yaxley @robyaxley.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

Chaenotheca hispidula, a really smart pinhead lichen at Houghton Park today. Immersed thallus, greeny yellow pruinose base to fruiting head, and relatively large globose spores. First county record since 1974.

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

Came across this Usnea on a broken Oak twig in some secondary woodland bordering a disused sand quarry in Kent. Think it might be Usnea subfloridana. (1/2)

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 25/05/2025

Two beetles while out and about today. A female black-headed cardinal beetle (Pyrochroa coccinea) and a lesser stag beetle larva (Dorcus parallelipipedus). @colsocbi.bsky.social @kentfieldclub.bsky.social #beetle

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 25/05/2025

Common vetch (Vicia sativa ssp. nigra) and heath speedwell (Veronica officinalis). #wildflowerhour @bsbibotany.bsky.social @kentfieldclub.bsky.social

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Alex Prendergast @bramblebotanist.bsky.social · 18/05/2025

A great few day pointing at special Breckland plants with Wilts Bot Soc: Military Orchid Orchis militaris, Purple Milk-Vetch Astragalus danicus, Breckland Birthwort Aristolochia hirta and Rare Spring Sedge Carex ericetorum #wildflowerhour

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

New plant for me growing at the end of my street. Turns out it’s also new to Suffolk (either vice county)! Hirsute Garlic (Allium trifolatium) can be separated from the closely related species by hairs at edge of leaves, tepals tinged pink and yellow anthers. #wildflowerhour @bsbibotany.bsky.social

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

Checked the rose in my garden today and, unfortunately or fortunately depending on your view, the rose has been colonised by the rose aphid (Macrosiphum rosae). In the photo, there are immature green apterae and a mature red alatae.

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Anthony Speca | Aspen Ecology @aspenecology.com · 28/04/2025

I'm finding it hard to see why this #lichen on sallow trunk in Earsham, Norfolk, England, isn't Punctelia borreri, except it would be first record for Norfolk, and only fourth for East Anglia. 'Starry-sky' look from scattered punctiform pseudocyphellae, soralia concentrated in thallus centre… 1/2

Punctelia borreri : England : VC27 East Norfolk : TM3487 : April 2025 : On Salix trunk

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

A rather late post, but wallflower living up to its name growing on the Roman wall in Colchester. #wildflowerhour @bsbibotany.bsky.social

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Sim Elliott @sim-elliott.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

Dendrographa decolorans - scratching yellow-orange - on old Quercus robur in St Leonard's Forest SSSI near Horsham, West Sussex; former medieval royal hunting forest, much of which has been destroyed by coniferisation. The ghyll is good for Atlantic bryophytes.

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Sim Elliott @sim-elliott.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

Red and Green. A "cave" in the bend of Sheepwash Ghyll, in St Leonard's SSSI, a High Weald Ghyll Wood, where it seems that iron from iron ore (siderite, FeCO3) deposits in wealden clay, has formed a sticky colloid, staining the Pellia species red.

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James Rowland @jamesrowland23.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

Scilla sp. naturalised in my local area #wildflowerhour (1/2)

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